Know your rights as a renter in South Carolina. This guide covers security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, eviction protections, and more under South Carolina law.
Legal basis: South Carolina landlord-tenant law — South Carolina Code
30 daysafter the tenancy ends and possession is returned, or after the tenant asks, whichever is later
Interest on deposits not required
Separate escrow account not required
Deposit & Fee Details
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under South Carolina law
Security deposit protections
If your deposit is wrongfully or late returned
Tenant may recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees; no bad-faith showing is required (S.C. Code § 27-40-410(b)).
Interest on your deposit is not required
Late-fee rules
Grace period
No mandatory grace period
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Governing statute: S.C. Code § 27-40-310
Landlord Entry Rights
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
24 hours
Except in an emergency, and for regularly scheduled services such as filter changes or pest treatment (9 a.m. to 6 p.m., when your lease sets out that right) and services you asked for (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.), which need only an announcement before entering (S.C. Code § 27-40-530(b)).
In South Carolina, your landlord must give this notice before entering your rental unit, except in genuine emergencies and the service visits below. This protects your right to privacy and peaceful enjoyment of your home.
Exceptions: Landlords may enter without notice in cases of emergency (fire, flooding, etc.) or if you've abandoned the property. Scheduled services such as filter changes or pest treatment (9 a.m. to 6 p.m., when your lease sets out that right) and services you asked for (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) need no 24 hours' notice — only an announcement before the landlord enters — and refusing them can let the landlord go to court, end the lease and recover attorney's fees (S.C. Code § 27-40-780(a)).
More South Carolina Tenant Protections
How much notice is required to raise rent in South Carolina?
No notice statute; no caps
•No South Carolina statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before raising rent
•Either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the end date (S.C. Code § 27-40-770(b))
•No statewide cap, and cities and counties may not regulate rent (S.C. Code § 27-39-60)
•A landlord may not retaliate by raising rent above fair market value (S.C. Code § 27-40-910)
Legal basis: No Statute
How long does a landlord have to make repairs in South Carolina?
14 days, then the lease can end
•Landlord must keep the home fit and habitable, with running water, hot water and reasonable heat (SC Code § 27-40-440)
•Send written notice: if a serious problem is not fixed within 14 days, the lease can end on the date in your notice (SC Code § 27-40-610(a))
•No heat, water, electricity, gas or sewer: after written notice and a reasonable time, you may buy a substitute supply and deduct its reasonable cost from rent (SC Code § 27-40-630)
•South Carolina does not allow deducting the cost of repairs from rent (SC Code § 27-40-630(c))
•You can also sue for damages and a court order (SC Code § 27-40-610(b))
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant in South Carolina?
Protected
•Retaliation prohibited
•Cannot evict for complaints
•Document communications
Legal basis: SC Code § 27-40-910
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in South Carolina?
Early termination
•If you and the abuser are both on the lease, and the abuse is documented by a restraining order, an order of protection or a conviction, you can end your lease obligations (S.C. Code § 27-40-350)
•Give written notice with that documentation within 60 days of the incident; the lease ends on the date in your notice, at least 30 days after the landlord gets it
•No early-termination fee or penalty; rent is owed until the end date, and co-tenants stay responsible for the rent
Legal basis: S.C. Code § 27-40-350
Can a landlord lock you out or shut off utilities in South Carolina?
Self-help illegal
•A landlord may not lock you out or cut off essential services to force you out without a court order (S.C. Code § 27-40-760)
•If it happens you can get back in or end the lease, and recover three months' rent or twice your actual damages, whichever is more, plus attorney's fees (S.C. Code § 27-40-660)
•Contact police if locked out
Legal basis: S.C. Code § 27-40-760
Did You Know?
Important facts about South Carolina rental law
1
South Carolina has no statewide limit on security deposits.
2
South Carolina landlords must return deposits within 30 days of move-out.
3
South Carolina landlords who wrongfully keep a deposit owe three times the amount withheld, plus attorney's fees.
4
South Carolina tenants must be given an itemized list of any deductions.
What is the security deposit limit in South Carolina?
South Carolina does not have a statutory limit on security deposits.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in South Carolina?
South Carolina landlords must return security deposits within 30 days after you move out (after the tenancy ends and possession is returned, or after the tenant asks, whichever is later).
How much notice must a landlord give before entering in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, landlords must give 24 hours' notice before entering your rental unit (except in an emergency, and for regularly scheduled services such as filter changes or pest treatment (9 a.m. to 6 p.m., when your lease sets out that right) and services you asked for (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.), which need only an announcement before entering (S.C. Code § 27-40-530(b))).
How much can a landlord charge for a late fee in South Carolina?
Late fees in South Carolina: No statutory cap. No mandatory grace period.
How much notice is required to raise rent in South Carolina?
No notice statute; no caps. No South Carolina statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before raising rent. Either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the end date (S.C. Code § 27-40-770(b)). No statewide cap, and cities and counties may not regulate rent (S.C. Code § 27-39-60). A landlord may not retaliate by raising rent above fair market value (S.C. Code § 27-40-910). Source: No Statute.
How long does a landlord have to make repairs in South Carolina?
14 days, then the lease can end. Landlord must keep the home fit and habitable, with running water, hot water and reasonable heat (SC Code § 27-40-440). Send written notice: if a serious problem is not fixed within 14 days, the lease can end on the date in your notice (SC Code § 27-40-610(a)). No heat, water, electricity, gas or sewer: after written notice and a reasonable time, you may buy a substitute supply and deduct its reasonable cost from rent (SC Code § 27-40-630). South Carolina does not allow deducting the cost of repairs from rent (SC Code § 27-40-630(c)). You can also sue for damages and a court order (SC Code § 27-40-610(b)). Source: SC Code §§ 27-40-440, 27-40-610, 27-40-630.
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant in South Carolina?
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in South Carolina?
Early termination. If you and the abuser are both on the lease, and the abuse is documented by a restraining order, an order of protection or a conviction, you can end your lease obligations (S.C. Code § 27-40-350). Give written notice with that documentation within 60 days of the incident; the lease ends on the date in your notice, at least 30 days after the landlord gets it. No early-termination fee or penalty; rent is owed until the end date, and co-tenants stay responsible for the rent. Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-350.
Can a landlord lock you out or shut off utilities in South Carolina?
Self-help illegal. A landlord may not lock you out or cut off essential services to force you out without a court order (S.C. Code § 27-40-760). If it happens you can get back in or end the lease, and recover three months' rent or twice your actual damages, whichever is more, plus attorney's fees (S.C. Code § 27-40-660). Contact police if locked out. Source: S.C. Code § 27-40-760.
What are my rights as a tenant in South Carolina?
South Carolina tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against South Carolina law.
More for South Carolina renters
Common tenant-rights questions
Plain-language answers that apply in South Carolina and beyond